Luigi Manini

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Luigi Manini (1848 – 1936) was a European set designer and architect. He was born in Brescia, Italy, and studied at the Brera Academy before becoming an assistant to Carlo Ferrario, the professor of stage design at La Scala. Manini then moved to Portugal to work for the Real Teatro de São Carlos (nowadays the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos) in 1879.

Today, Manini is best remembered for his Manueline Gothic architecture designs, especially the last palace of the kings of Portugal, the Buçaco Palace, begun in 1888 and today a prestigious hotel. Manini also designed the exuberant Quinta de Regaleira for millionaire Augusto de Carvalho Monteiro.

Manini's other work in Portugal includes:

• Cottage Sassetti
• Palácio Biester
• sets for the operas Aida, Guarany, Lohengrin, Mephistoles, and Otello
• Teatro de Funchal
• the Winter Garden at the Teatro de São João

Manini returned to Italy in 1913.

[edit] Sources

Great Houses of Europe by Alex Starkey and Marcus Binney